Conveyor having twisted track sections

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus for the balanced conveyance of liquid and related containers. The present system comprises a substantially rigid, universally directional and graded track upon which is mounted a plural carriage system having track-engaging and material-carrying complements, one of which is adapted to horizontal and vertical positioning relative to the ground and the other of which, by virtue of a substantially universal mounting on the former, is adapted to level flight from the point of embarkation to deposit and return. There are novel means for impelling the combined carriage elements to and fro, along the path defined by the track, the track having unique bends and twists to insure level or balanced flight of the carriages and contents. One unique feature of the invention in a preferred modification resides in the definition of track bends and twists, such that the driving cable pulleys for the carriage may be disposed orthoganally relative to the track flange portion of the fixed track conveyor. In this way, the track of rigid construction may contain a drive system whose traverse may pass through numerous distinctive different planes of motion defined by said track. In effect, the plane of rotation of pulleys used in supporting the motive means, retains a constant relationship to the cross section of the track, irrespective of its disposition relative to the starting and terminal points thereof.

[45] Patented Oct. 19,1971

United States Patent [72] Inventors Richard A. Kroeger 311 Oak Park Circle, Tullahoma, Tenn.

37388; Juel G. Sweattie, 1003 Elmwood, Norman, Okla.7Z 069 21 AppLNo. 72,048 [22] Filed Sept. 14,1970

[54] CONVEYOR HAVING TWISTED TRACK ABSTRACT: Method and apparatus for the balanced conveyance of liquid and related containers. The present system comprises a substantially rigid, universally directional and graded track upon which is mounted a plural carriage system having track-engaging and material-carrying complements, one of which is adapted to horizontal and vertical positioning relative to the ground and the other of which, by virtue of a substantially universal mounting on the former, is adapted to level fligltt from the point of embarkation to deposit and return. There are novel means for impelling the combined carriage elements to and fro, along the path defined by the track, the track having unique bends and twists to insure level or balanced flight of the carriages and contents. One unique feature of the invention in a preferred modification resides in the definition of track bends and twists, such that the driving cable pulleys for the carriage may be disposed orthoganally relative to the track flange portion of the fixed track conveyor. In this way, the track of rigid construction may contain a drive system whose traverse may pass through numerous distinctive different planes of motion defined by said track. In effect, the plane of rotation of pulleys used in supporting the motive means, retains a constant relationship to the cross section of the track, irrespective of its disposition relative to the starting and terminal points thereof.

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INVINTOIS RICHARD A. KROEGER JUEL G. SWEATTE .Y J 9x50092201 ATTORNEY CONVEYOR HAVING TWISTED TRACK SECTIONS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention is adapted to the transport of such materials as prepared foods and/or medical and related supplies especially fluids thereof between loci at restaurants and/or hospitals having variant elevation and azimuthal positions form a ray of the first vector movement of the materials and/or supplies to the desired terminus thereof. Ideally the invention serves as a substitute for carhop activity at drive-in restaurants, but the scope of invention obviously extends to transferring through balanced flight any commodity which requires sanitary and gentle handling in transfer from point of preparationto point of delivery, on command. The conveyor system is adapted to complicated building and related structures having defined track paths which include vertical ascensions and descensions as well as rightand left-azimuthal changes or combinations thereof. Whereas the invention is defined with reference to a specific driving means, the basis of invention resides in a novel combination comprising the unique suspension track and associated complemental carriage components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. I is a view in perspective of invention showing a graded section of track communicant therewith;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the system in fragment illustrated in FIG. I, the upper complement of the carriage moving horizontally relative to the ground as in level transition;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the system according to FIG. 1 (in fragment), the upper complement of the carriage engaging the track section in vertical disposition relative to the ground as in graded transition;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the upper complement of the combined carriage;

FIG. 5 illustrates the system as applied to a transitional reflexed curve, showing the means for motivation of the system therealong;

FIG. 6 is illustrative. of track intercept drive and related bearing pulleys;

FIG. 7 depicts a transitional section of track with traverse and return pulleys;

FIGS. 8-10 are sections of the track motive means taken respectively along the lines 8--8, 99 and 10-10 of FIG. 7.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference FIGS. l-3 inclusive, the system comprises a primary carriage 100, a secondary carriage 150, having free axis rotational interconnection and fixed track 200. The track 200 is illustrated as a T-section metal extrusion comprising a rigidizing web and flanges. Track 200 is constructed to permit the formation and joining of curved, twisted and straight sections, wherein the respective sections may be formed modularly as components, each of which may be complementally affixed to supporting framework, not shown. More specifically, the track is adapted to insure that respective and strand traverse and return pulleys, hereinafter described as 220 and 230, respectively, may be retained in substantially orthogonal relation to the track, irrespective of its disposition relative to the ground.

The carriage complement 100 or primary carriage is adapted to supportive movement along the track, irrespective of its altitude relative to the ground. Means are provided to assume a side load, when horizontal as will be pointed out hereinafter. The respective pairs of wheels I10 and 110' are mounted upon corresponding upper wheel-mounting frame 112 and lower wheel-mounting frame 112', these frames having connection via wheel pressure adjustment bracket 120 through carriage wheel adjustment bolts I14 and flexure-bearing bolt I16. There is also mounted upon the wheel pressure adjustment bracket 120 a cable or strand tension adjustment bolt 118 which is adapted to secure cable pickup bracket 118' to the wheel pressure adjustment bracket 120, all as best shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 respectively. The side load wheel for the primary carriage is illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 as at 122, said side load element being adapted to bear oppositely to the yoke 140 connecting the respective primary and secondary carriages upon the upper surface of the flange 212' of the track 200 as the primary carriage moves horizontally relative to the ground as in FIG. 2.

The secondary carriage 150 is interconnected to the primary via yoke 130, said yoke having arcuately rotational engagement with the upper wheel-mounting frame 112, the yoke at its opposite and free end having pitching axis rotational contact with the yoke bracket 140. Supporting the secondary carriage, per se, along the sides thereof are reinforcing strips 152 with reciprocable yoke extension aperture 154 along which the extension of the yoke may ride rotationally, via connector 142.

As will be apparent from reference to FIG. 1, especially, the primary carriage is adapted to ride along the flanges horizontally as the track guides it from one horizontal point to another through desired azimuthal variations, a major portion of the load being undertaken by the side load wheel 122, along the inner surface of the track flange as illustrated in FIG. 2. For inclined reflexed and transitional curves, defined by the track 200, the track is bent upon itself as depicted in FIGS. I and 3 respectively and the primary carriage maintains a substantially vertical relation to the ground. Infinite variant altitudes of the primary carriage between the horizontal and vertical aspects shown will be necessary, for smooth transitions in flight.

Of key significance to the success of the invention in the application of motive power to the carriage complement is the flexure joining of the respective carriage wheel supporting components 112 and 112'. For example, the upper wheelmounting frame 112 and lower wheel-mounting frame 112' are permitted relative misalignment to conform to spiral motion induced upon the primary carriage, per se, by track twist, all track bends being restricted to the plane of the track flange, reference FIGS. 7-l0 inclusive. The specific design in which the track bends are restricted to the plane of the track flange, requires, as indicated, the flexure junction of the wheel-mounting means of the primary carriage, but nonetheless, permits the mounting of the cable-supporting pulleys 220 and 230 at right angles to the plane defined by the flange of the track irrespective of its altitude relative to the ground. If, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the carriage moves in a vertical plane, it only sustains vertical and horizontal motion components in that plane, and if the track is properly twisted so that the plane of its flange is brought into the new plane of motion, the pulleys are always properly aligned so as to negotiate the curve, reference FIG. 7.

With specific reference to the primary carriage and the means for imparting motion thereto, the ends of the strand or cable 240 are attached to the primary carriage at 118, via the carriage tension adjustment bolts being there shown, reference FIG. 4. The cable ends pass through the attached cable pickup bracket 118' the function of which is to transmit cable tension and return motion to the primary carriage as may be supplied by a prime mover, not shown. Thus, as the primary carriage passes along the track, the cable pickup bracket traversing the approximate median of the track flange, lifts the cable from the traverse pulley 220 and permits it to be reseated as the primary carriage passes by. The traverse pulley thus supports the drive portion of the cable remaining outside the return pulleys 230. In practice, as a reflexed inclined curvature is encountered, the pulleys are affixed to the half of the track flange nearest the center of curvature, thus causing the pulleys to appear on different sides of the track flange, reference FIG. 5. By this configuration, tension is sustained and the pickup bracket I18 passes freely along the center of the track flange, per se. The standoff distance of the pulleys 220 and 230 relative to the track flange is determined by the correlative positioning of the track wheels 110, 110' on the one hand and the cable pickup bracket, on the other hand.

Of significance is the universal flexibility permitted between the primary and secondary carriages through the action of the yoke and associated elements. The primary carriage itself incorporates many degrees of freedom in its motion, including pitch about a lateral axis, yaw about a vertical axis, roll about a longitudinal axis and translation along all three of these axes.

By virtue of its articulation, the universal action of the components of the yoke 130 and 140 prevents roll about the longitudinal axis and pitch about the lateral axis from being encountered by the secondary carriage. Not only are all three spatial rotations, namely pitch, yaw and roll, accounted for herein, but also small differential translations are permitted to occur between the respective primary and secondary carriages through the action of the yoke, extensibly and retractibly mounted relative to the secondary carriage 150 upon contact therewith at the terminal station, permitting a diminution in total carriage system height at that point.

In providing motion to the cable, the terminal end, not shown, may be powered or of idler construction, the cable having a powered or idle cable return sheave. Otherwise power may be supplied to the cable by means shown in FIG. 6, appropriate track intercept bearing pulleys 250 conducting the cable 240 to the drive sheave 260, the track intercept bearing pulleys 250 being disposed at right angles to the flange of the track and bearing on an extension of the web thereof. Various means of speed control without alteration in the peak torque output of the driving motor, now shown, may be applied. Obviously, in view of the intended content of the secondary carriage careful attention must be given to acceleration and deceleration adjacent the respective terminals.

We claim:

1. A conveyor system comprising in combination:

A. a rigid track having a flange component, suspended above the ground, defining vertical and horizontal transitions in altitude and direction, said track being partially twisted upon itself at portions therealong for the transitional altitude and direction changes of a carriage complement;

B. a carriage complement in operative connection with the track comprising:

B1. a primary carriage engageable with said flange component of said track, said carriage complement including at least two track-engaging wheels, the respective wheels having flexure connection between each other;

B2. a secondary carriage having articulated dependent connection with the primary carriage, whereby upon movement of said carriage component along the path defined by said track, the secondary carriage is maintained substantially in balance and parallel to the ground, irrespective of azimuthal or altitude deviations of said track from a horizontal reference to the ground.

2. The conveyor system of claim 1 including an endless propulsion strand secured along its length to the carriage and engaging supports therefor, strand supports mounted upon the track and motive means for paying in and reeling out portions of said strand to impel and return the carriage complement along the path defined by the track.

3. The conveyor system of claim 2 wherein the track defines a continuous flange which is adapted to substantially horizontal plane disposition at zero inclination and to variant degrees of angularity with respect to the horizontal at inclinations thereof defining reflex curves.

4. The conveyor system of claim 3, the primary carriage mounting strand lifting means, fixed to the strand and secured to the primary carriage to lift the strand free of the strand supports.

5. The conveyor system according to claim 3, the primary carriage having a side-load support, adjacent the uppermost of the track engaging wheels, said side-load support being in bearing contact with the flange upon horizontal flight of the carriage complement.

6. The conveyor system according to claim 4, the primary carriage having a side-load support, adjacent the uppermost of the track-engaging wheels, said side-load support beinfg in bearing contact with the flange upon honzonta flight o the carriage complement.

7. The conveyor system according to claim 3, in which the strand supports comprise plural traverse and return pulleys, the plane of rotation of said pulleys having constant angular relationship with the flange of said track.

8. The conveyor system according to claim 4, in which the strand supports comprise plural traverse and return pulleys the plane of rotation of said pulleys having constant angular relationship with the flange of said track.

9. The conveyor system of claim 5 in which the strand supports comprise plural traverse and return pulleys, the plane of rotation of said pulleys having constant angular relationship with the flange of said track.

10. The conveyor system of claim 7 wherein the traverse and return pulleys are coaxial and mounted in orthogonal relationship to the flange.

11. The conveyor system of claim 7 a portion of the flange being broken away, opposed track intercept strand-bearing pulleys and track intercept drive means connected to the intercept bearing pulleys by the strand.

12. The conveyor system according to claim 10, a portion of the track flange being broken away, opposed track intercept strand-bearing pulleys and track intercept drive means connected to the intercept bearing pulleys by the strand. 

1. A conveyor system comprising in combination: A. a rigid track hAving a flange component, suspended above the ground, defining vertical and horizontal transitions in altitude and direction, said track being partially twisted upon itself at portions therealong for the transitional altitude and direction changes of a carriage complement; B. a carriage complement in operative connection with the track comprising: B1. a primary carriage engageable with said flange component of said track, said carriage complement including at least two track-engaging wheels, the respective wheels having flexure connection between each other; B2. a secondary carriage having articulated dependent connection with the primary carriage, whereby upon movement of said carriage component along the path defined by said track, the secondary carriage is maintained substantially in balance and parallel to the ground, irrespective of azimuthal or altitude deviations of said track from a horizontal reference to the ground.
 2. The conveyor system of claim 1 including an endless propulsion strand secured along its length to the carriage and engaging supports therefor, strand supports mounted upon the track and motive means for paying in and reeling out portions of said strand to impel and return the carriage complement along the path defined by the track.
 3. The conveyor system of claim 2 wherein the track defines a continuous flange which is adapted to substantially horizontal plane disposition at zero inclination and to variant degrees of angularity with respect to the horizontal at inclinations thereof defining reflex curves.
 4. The conveyor system of claim 3, the primary carriage mounting strand lifting means, fixed to the strand and secured to the primary carriage to lift the strand free of the strand supports.
 5. The conveyor system according to claim 3, the primary carriage having a side-load support, adjacent the uppermost of the track engaging wheels, said side-load support being in bearing contact with the flange upon horizontal flight of the carriage complement.
 6. The conveyor system according to claim 4, the primary carriage having a side-load support, adjacent the uppermost of the track-engaging wheels, said side-load support being in bearing contact with the flange upon horizontal flight of the carriage complement.
 7. The conveyor system according to claim 3, in which the strand supports comprise plural traverse and return pulleys, the plane of rotation of said pulleys having constant angular relationship with the flange of said track.
 8. The conveyor system according to claim 4, in which the strand supports comprise plural traverse and return pulleys the plane of rotation of said pulleys having constant angular relationship with the flange of said track.
 9. The conveyor system of claim 5 in which the strand supports comprise plural traverse and return pulleys, the plane of rotation of said pulleys having constant angular relationship with the flange of said track.
 10. The conveyor system of claim 7 wherein the traverse and return pulleys are coaxial and mounted in orthogonal relationship to the flange.
 11. The conveyor system of claim 7 a portion of the flange being broken away, opposed track intercept strand-bearing pulleys and track intercept drive means connected to the intercept bearing pulleys by the strand.
 12. The conveyor system according to claim 10, a portion of the track flange being broken away, opposed track intercept strand-bearing pulleys and track intercept drive means connected to the intercept bearing pulleys by the strand. 